MD_DA810                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA810 Cheese - Northeast                                      

MADISON, WI.  December 16, 2015 (REPORT 50)                      


NORTHEAST WHOLESALE CHEESE:                                      
                                                                 
Cheese production is seasonally active. Manufacturers are preparing for 
the upcoming holiday week and the likelihood of increased surplus milk  
and full production schedules at most plants. Currently, domestic market 
interest centers on covering immediate and short term needs as buyers 
expect prices to slide further. Some major packagers are seeing orders 
start to slow, with most committed product already delivered to retail 
customers. With slower mozzarella sales, producers are attempting to 
align production with demand. Interest in the aged cheddar is active. 
This week, Northeast cheese prices continued to trend lower for both 
blocks and barrels. Wholesale prices for cheddar and Muenster declined 
$0.0675, as process cheese prices dipped $0.0325. Grade A Swiss prices 
are steady. According to the DMN National Retail Report-Dairy, during the 
week of December 11-17, 2015 the weighted average advertised price for 8 
ounce cheese blocks in the Northeast was $2.47, 18 cents more than the 
national average, and 32 cents more than a week ago. The Southeast 8 
ounce block cheese price was $2.54, 22 cents more than a week ago. 
Tuesday's CME Group daily cash trading saw barrels close at $1.4350, down 
$0.0650 from a week ago; blocks closed at $1.4375, down $0.0625 from a 
week ago.

WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES: DELIVERED,                             
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Cheddar 40# Block                            : 1.8750-2.1600     
Process 5# Sliced                            : 1.6925-2.1725     
Muenster                                     : 1.8950-2.2450     
Grade A Swiss Cuts 10 - 14#                  : 3.2100-3.5325     	

1100CT daniel.johnson@ams.usda.gov 608.557.7006
USDA/AMS/Dairy Market News, Madison, Wisconsin
Dairy Market News website: http://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/dairy
Dairy Market News database portal: http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/mnp/da-
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